Willliams hails 'unique' Hamilton

Last updated at 09:59 16 June 2007

Sir Frank Williams last night described Formula One rookie sensation Lewis Hamilton as a unique talent.

The Williams team boss, who has won nine constructors' titles and secured seven drivers' crowns for the likes of Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve, claimed Hamilton's instant impact on the sport was unparalleled.

The 22-year-old McLaren driver won his first grand prix in just his sixth race last Sunday in Canada, leads the drivers' championship by eight points from team-mate Fernando Alonso and goes into tomorrow's United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis looking to extend his first-season record number of consecutive podium finishes to seven.

"In my opinion," Williams said, "I've never seen anyone arrive and be so successful so quickly.

"That is to say from his first race. It is quite remarkable.

"I am looking hard to find fault with him and he is very nice, which is quite unusual, too."

Williams, who has been in motor racing for almost 40 years, was asked if Hamilton reminded him of any other drivers in his long career.

"Nobody," he replied.

Hamilton, meanwhile, was reflecting on his first laps around the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway ahead of today's final practice session and qualifying for tomorrow's race.

The Briton completed 55 laps on Friday across two 90-minute practice sessions, clocking the third fastest time (1:12.628) in the opening outing and second fastest (1:12.329) in the latter one as McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso went quickest in both (1:11.925 and 1:12.156).

"As this was the first time I have ever driven at the Indianapolis track I spent some time just getting to know the circuit," Hamilton said.

"The really tricky bit is the mid-section as it's very tight and twisty.

"We spent our time fine tuning the set-up and evaluating the two different tyre options (soft and medium) provided by Bridgestone this weekend.

"In the first part of the second session I ran a little wide and did some minor damage to the aerodynamic fences which took a little time for the guys to repair.

"We have a pretty good idea of where we are going, and it looks like we should be competitive, but as always Friday is only the start of the weekend - there is a long way to go."

Double world champion Alonso was satisfied with his day's work at a track on which he has only managed to finish one grand prix - last year's, when he finished fifth.

"So far things are looking promising," Alonso said. "This track has never been kind to me, but I really want to do well this weekend.

"The car has been performing strongly at the last couple of races and today in practice, but I am sure that both Ferrari and BMW will be at the front as well.